You are more than a Lecturer

 

You are more than a Lecturer!

Have you ever thought that you are already in a mission field? When hundreds of people who don’t know Jesus Christ are around you, in your college and right where you live, you need not wait for a Sunday evening outreach or wait till God calls you for a “full-time ministry” -- to go and reach them. You are the most appropriate person to reach the people around you (the people of your own caliber and profession and a large number of students you come across). In short, you are a “missionary” (who shares the gospel with others). The college or institution, where you work and the place where you live are your mission fields. Christian Lecturers like you also can contribute a lot in fulfilling the command “GO INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PREACH THE GOOD NEWS TO ALL CREATION” (Mk: 16:15 NIV). We call such people “Tentmakers”. You too can become a Tentmaker.

 

One Step Beyond:

The world rushes on and is advancing. Here is a chance for you to think beyond and act for the kingdom of God. Why should you be a witness in the same college, where there are others who share the Gospel?  Why should you be in the same geographical area, where someone else shows the love of Christ? You can take it as a challenge to go (get a transfer, find a new job, …) to an unevangelized place or country as a “Lecturer / Professor” with the single motive of spreading the aroma of Christ in that place or country. Many colleges, places and countries which are closed to the gospel are open for college teachers. You can use your profession and skills to gain access to a place for the purpose of communicating Christ through your life and witness.

 

“Tentmakers are disciples of Jesus Christ, called by God and commissioned by God's people to make disciples and build His church, who use their professional skills to facilitate their ministry”

 

TAKE A STEP BEYOND FOR CHRIST

 

Mission Fields at Your Reach:

Ø Teaching and non-teaching staff of your college.

Ø People working in other colleges.

Ø Students in your and other colleges.

Ø The members of Examination Committee, Academic Council and Board of Studies.

Ø Lecturers / Research students you meet in National or International Conferences, Workshops, Refresher Courses, etc.

Ø Parents / Guardians / relatives of your students.

Ø People living around you.

 

What Can You Do?

Ø Consider yourself as a missionary and show the love of Christ in words and action.

Ø Build good relationships with your colleagues, neighbours and students, and spend quality time with them.

Ø Make use of every opportunity to share the gospel in a meaningful way.

Ø Start an evangelistic Bible study with the people who are open to the gospel. This can be changed to discipleship Bible study later.

Ø Connect new contacts to any good, local church.

Ø If there are no churches nearby, start a worship group and contact missions for help.

Ø Help the local churches / missionaries / ministries.

Ø Motivate and encourage others to become Tentmakers.

 

Where to Start?

Ø First seek God’s will to find where He wants you to go.

Ø Collect information about that place and start praying.

Ø Look for a new job opening / get a transfer to that place.

Ø Prepare yourself for this new task.

·   Start learning the language.

·   Build relationships with local people and colleagues.

·   Learn to share the gospel in practical, creative and effective ways.

·   Lead Prayer Groups or Bible studies.

·   Spend quality personal time with God.

·   Develop good personal character.

·   Gain basic, biblical and mission knowledge.

·   Gain / develop talents (e.g. to play a musical instrument)

Ø Find a good support system (a church / mission / prayer group). This is needed very much for your prayer support, pastoral care and, if necessary, financial support. This will also help in your accountability.

 

Dare to Be Different:

You should be prepared to be different from other lectures / professors.  You need not choose a position depending on your salary, place, safety, etc. Since a Tentmaker’s challenge is to obey the Lord and go to a new place with a mission (to make disciples and to build His kingdom), you need to be open for the following.

Ø Ready to take up new jobs or get a transfer to any unevangelised place.

Ø Ready to take up a low profile job.

Ø Choose a job, which will give you more free time. (e.g. five days a week)

Ø Avoid taking overtime responsibilities (Tuition, Coaching classes, etc.), which will take away your precious time and strength that can be invested in God’s kingdom.

Ø Don’t compare yourself with a person who is going to a new place / abroad for the sake of job.

Ø Go to a place for ministry and make a living. Don’t go to a place for job and do ministry whenever time permits.

 

An example:

Mr. Raj (name changed), a post-graduate in Computer Science, committed his life to be a tentmaker in North India. He became as a lecturer with the help of another tentmaker in a research institute. Realizing his commitment, he started spending time with the students of his college and of the neighbouring colleges in the evenings. He started an evangelistic Bible study. He is contributing toward the local students’ ministry. Believers are benefited by his in-depth Bible studies. His creative ways of evangelism attract many to Christ. Through his sincerity in work and competence in subject, he maintains a good testimony in the college. He is also helping in the local churches and missionary organizations working in that area. His efforts revived the local church. Even though he gets other attractive offers, in obedience to God he has been a Tentmaker in that place.

 

Wait a minute….

Do you have a specific call for “full-time ministry”? If YES, Tentmakers ministry is not for you.  If NO, dare to be different by becoming a Tentmaker.

 

For more information:

Log onto http://imaindia.org to view job opportunities

 

India Missions Association

Post Box 36, 1-300/118, Arul Colony,

ECIL Post, Hyderabad 500 062, AP - India.

( (91) 040 - 27134530 / 5

E-Mail: tentmakers@imaindia.org

 

Evangelical Teachers’ Fellowship,

9 Sterling Apartments, Snehapuri Colony,

Nacharam, Hyderabad-500076, AP, India

( (91) 040 27158691(O), 27014839 (R)

E-Mail: etfindia@lycos.com